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F. M. BELL, ELBGTRIGAL HAIR CUTTER AND SINGER.

No. 558,465. Patented Apr. 14, 1896.

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UNITED STATES I PATENT OFFIcE."

FRANK M. BELL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRICAL HAIR CUTTER AND SINGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 558,465, dated April 14, 1896.

Application filed March 22,1895. Serial No. 542,818 (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK M. BELL, of New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Electrical Hair Cutter and Singer, of which the following is, a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple device for utilizing an electricallyheated wire or bar for cutting and singeing hair.

My invention consists in the combination, with a device for raising and holding the hair in position for cutting, of a wire or bar of refractory material, such as platinum, and fastening and holding devices for the wire or bar, all as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of -my improved electrical hair cutter and singer. Fig. 2 is an edge view. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken on line 3 3 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken on line 4 4 in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on line 5 5 in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of the posts of the holder for the bar or wire. Fig. 7 is a detail side elevation of another post, and Fig. 8 is an end view of the strainin g-rod for the wire or bar.

The comb A in the present case forms the body of the instrument and is made of any of the materials of which combs are made, but preferably of aluminum. The back a of the comb is made hollow to receive the electrical conductor b, and the handle B of the comb is enlarged and perforated lengthwise to receive the other electrical conductor b. The comb is tapered, the handle end being the widest. At the narrow end of the comb the projection 0 extends from the back par allel with the teeth and of the same length as the teeth. The said projection is slotted to receive a stud d, which is held in place by a nut on the threaded end of the shank of the stud. The slot through which the shank of the stud projects is lined with insulating material, and the washers placed upon the side of the projection c prevent contact with the comb.

Under the stud 01, adjacent to the projection 0 but insulated therefrom, is placed an angled arm 6, which is in electrical contact with the stud d and is'connected electrically with the end of the conductor b. In the stud d is formed a rectangular mortise f, which receives the square end 9 of the rod h. The rounded portion of the rod h is threaded to receive a nut i, and on the rod between the nut and the stud d is placed a spiral spring j. The squared end g of the rod h is grooved longitudinally and slotted transversely, form ing a hook for receiving one end of a platinum wire 70, the other end of which is received in a stud Z, inserted in a slot m in the handle of the comb, but insulated from the said handle by a lining of insulating material inserted in the slot and washers placed 011 opposite sides of the handle.

Underneath the shoulder of the stud Z is placed the insulated T-shaped end of a metal strip m, which is insulated from the handle B, but in electrical connection with the stud Z. The said stud Z is slotted lengthwise and is furnished with a number of hemispherical cavities 91 along the length of the slot to receive the spherical end of the platinum wire 70, to admit of adjusting the platinum wire at different distances on-the face of the comb.

The conductor 1) terminates in an electrical contact 0, and in the metal strip m is inserted the shank p of a push-button q. A spiral spring 4", placed between the button and the metal strip m, holds the shank p out of engagement with the contact 0. The shank p is provided with a head on its inner end, which is larger than the aperture in the strip m and limits the outward motion of the shank. The conductors b b are connected with any suitable source of electric current, and the current is controlled by means of a suitable rheostat. When the button q is pressed, the electrical circuit is completed through the platinum wire 70, which is heated to a suflicient degree to burn the hair into contact with which it is brought. The wire expands as it is heated, but its tension is maintained by the spiral spring j.

In addition to cutting the hair the hot wire effectually singes it, thereby securing at the same time the advantages of-singeing and accomplishing it without rendering it as noticeable as it is when it is done by means of By changing the position of the studs d Z the wire may be carried forward toward the points of the teeth of the comb or removed therefrom, as may be desired.

It will be understood that although I have shown and herein described a platinum wire In I do not limit myself to the use of a wire, as, if found desirable, a rod, bar, or strip of platinum may be employed for the same purpose.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In an electrical hair cutter and singer, the combination with a hair-su pport, of a wire or bar of refractory material held by the support, substantially as specified.

2. In an electrical hair cutter and singer, the combination with a comb, of a wire or bar stretched along the comb but not in contact therewith, and insulated conductors in electrical connection with the wire or bar, substantially as specified.

3. In an electrical hair cutter and singer, the combination of a comb, a wire or bar stretched along the comb, and means for hold= ing the wire or bar under tension, substantially as specified.

4. In an electrical hair cutter and singer, the combination with a comb, of a wire or bar stretched along the comb, means for holding the wire under tension, and means for adjusting the position of the wire or bar relative to the comb, substantially as specified.

5. In an electrical hair cutter and singer, the combination of a comb, a wire or bar stretched along the comb, the electrical connections, and means, substantially as described, for-closing and breaking the circuit.

6. In an electrical hair cutter and singer, the combination of a comb provided with a handle, insulated electric conductors entering the comb, adjustable studs inserted in the comb and comb-handle, a wire or bar strained between the insulated studs, the electrical connections, and the button for closing and breaking the electric circuit, substantially as specified.

FRANK M. BELL. W'itnesses J NO. M. BITTER, F. XV. I'IANAFORD. 

